OUR TEAM
Rosa Maria Masaquiza Chango
Founder
Francisca Masaquiza Chango
President
Rosa Maria Morales realized her vision for a bilingual school in Salasaca in 1996, founding SUMAK KAWSAY YACHAY (SKY) with the goal of fostering education in both Kichwa and Spanish. Known locally as Katitawa School, SKY began as a private institution and later integrated into Ecuador’s Department of Education network of bilingual schools.
As the school’s director, Rosa Maria poured her heart into building and expanding SKY. She personally developed the curriculum, oversaw improvements to the facilities, and worked tirelessly to increase enrollment.
To support the school financially, she balanced her role as a university professor, using her salary to pay for teachers and cover students’ transportation costs. She also secured crucial resources, including a donation of solar panels from Katherine J. Lewis and Arizona State University, providing electricity for classrooms, clean water, kitchen facilities, computers, and irrigation for the garden.
In 2013, Rosa Maria entrusted SKY to her sister Francisca, with her niece Micaela stepping in to continue the foundation’s growth and development. Her legacy remains at the heart of SKY’s mission to empower the Salasaca community through education and cultural preservation.
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Francisca has lived in Salasaca her entire life and is very connected to the local community and culture. Her sister, the founder of SKY, named her legal president in 2006. From 2006 to 2016, she supervised the work realised by the director and the volunteers.
After Robert’s death and certain complications in Manguiwa community, Francisca continued the project in Patuloma community and she made the continuation of the SKY Foundation possible.
Francisca is in charge of organizing and leading different tasks (like gardening), helping the volunteers connect to the community’s traditions, and ensuring the wellbeing of the volunteers. She also lives in Patuloma community, 5 minutes from Hosteria Pachamama.
Micaela Jerez Masaquiza
Executive Director
Diana Cisneros
Program Coordinator
​As the Executive Director of the SKY Foundation, Micaela oversees the overall direction of the organization, guiding its initiatives and maintaining strong relationships with the community. She plays a key role in decision-making processes and works closely with the team to ensure the foundation's goals are met.
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Born in Salasaca, Micaela is the niece of our founder. She attended the SKY Katitawa school for her first six years of schooling and has always been deeply connected to the foundation through her family. She enjoys cooking and sharing meals with volunteers and often takes them to explore traditional places, food, and festivals in Salasaca.
Diana Cisneros serves as Program Coordinator for the SUMAK KAWSAY YACHAY (SKY) Foundation, brings a strong background in language and community engagement to her role.
Diana is dedicated to cultural preservation and supporting Indigenous education. She coordinates SKY’s daily operations, organizing volunteer activities and ensuring smooth program delivery. Diana’s commitment to SKY’s mission is evident in her work, fostering meaningful connections between volunteers and the Salasaca community.